Like many of us individually during this quiet week between major holidays, our local institutions seem to be taking a week off from big events. Museums and theaters are open as usual (check for holiday hours before visiting), and many holiday season attractions are in their last weekend of this year’s run. But the main events this weekend are big New Year’s Eve celebrations on Sunday night.
One exception, though – and fun for the whole family – is the kiddie matinee at the New Beverly Cinema this weekend, which will be Mary Poppins, at 2 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. The 1964 classic stars Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke in the irresistible story of the most fun, famous and fabulous nanny ever. More than 50 years later, it’s still supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.
For the grownups who want to stay out late on Sunday, though, there are many options. Here are a few of the biggest, without traveling too far:
The historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel will hold its annual New Year’s Eve bash starting at 9 p.m. on Sunday. The tone is described as “sophisticated and relaxed, and…refined and ambitious,” and the event will include a five-hour premium open bar, four rooms of music, an LED wall countdown to midnight, top DJs, party favors, and private VIP options as well.
Even bigger, downtown, is the huge Grand Park NYE celebration. Billed as the “West Coast’s flagship New Year’s Eve celebration,” the free event features live music, food (dozens of food trucks), and photo booths…”in one big, beautiful, colorful Angeleno experience to remember!” It starts at 8 p.m., culminates with a big New Year countdown projected onto City Hall, and ends at 1 a.m. And did we mention that it’s FREE?
And finally, just a bit further east, there’s the sixth annual Prohibition NYE in the grand old ticket concourse at Union Station. The event will capture all the excitement and glamour of the Roaring Twenties, with theatrical burlesque, live jazz ensembles, a headlining DJ set from GOLDROOM, and a premium open bar featuring champagne and specialty cocktails. And, of course, the event will end with its signature 60-foot, midnight ball-drop celebration.
Also, to make sure everyone parties and gets home safely, Metro will be offering free fares, on all buses and trains, from 9 p.m. on Sunday (New Year’s Eve) until 2 a.m. on Monday (New Year’s Day). All Metro Rail Line Stations with faregates will be unlatched and fareboxes and validators will not deduct fares. Also, on New Year’s Eve, all Metro Rail lines will operate all night every 20 minutes, to make sure there are enough seats for everyone.
Finally, in another New Year’s gift from Metro, there will be NO closure this weekend of Wilshire Blvd., between Western and Gramercy, for Purple Line subway construction preparation. Weekend closures will resume next weekend, starting on Friday, January 5.
Have a great weekend…and a Happy New Year!
